Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Inexpensive Home Decor Ideas

And let’s just say I’m an eternal, unapologetic, and annoyingly chipper optimist. Anyway, we’re back to share the homely group of odd items that we picked up with our $100 shopping budget on our little end-of-winter beach vacay in Rehoboth. Since we were staying at John’s parents’ beach house for free (I have the best inlaws ever), we figured that a hundred dollars to put towards light fixtures and wall decor and other new house items sounded about right to two cheapskates like us who were happy to have saved at least three times that amount by avoiding hotel fees and driving to the beach in the winter instead. Hah. They’re not exactly a group of lookers yet, but we have plans to paint, frame, hang, retrofit, and generally revive a bunch of them. Here’s the spread:

Thrift Numbered Pic

1. You already saw me gleefully clutching our $5 thrift store mirror here. Love it. Plans for that guy involve a major splash of color. Not sure which one, or where he’ll live. Yet…

2 & 3. You also already met our crazy orange horse head book end friends (scored for $2.50 each). I’m thinking of spraying them white or maybe even a bold color like navy or yellow. They might live up on the built ins with the bulk of my other ceramic animal buddies.

4. This light fixture was hanging in an antique shop’s booth all plugged in and glowing. And I was instantly drawn to it like a moth to a flame. It was just $19 and John was outside in the car with the sleeping bean so I was taking a chance by getting it without dragging him and sleeping Clara inside so he could see it for himself. Thankfully he loved it. Of course we’re planning to paint the brass cap and chain. And we’re thinking about hanging it in the little sink alcove in our bedroom. Not sure though.

5. You can read more about the bee significance in our relationship here, but I fell in love with this $5 iron bee hook from the moment I saw it. I have visions of painting it glossy yellow and hanging it in the mudroom/laundry room for Burger’s leash.

6. I’m 99% sure that I’ll paint this $7 wall mountable iron horse white and hang him in our bright blue hall bathroom with a white hand towel in his mouth ring (more deets on that room’s plan here).

7 & 8. These two wood plaques were $3 a pop and John and I both thought they might look good hanging above our bed with our ram friend in the center. Not sure if we’ll paint them or leave ’em au naturale.

9. This tiny (he’s around 5″ wide) wall-mountable gold duck (goose?) was just three bucks. So we both agreed that he had to come home and meet his older brother. Not sure if we’ll hang them together. Probably not. Maybe we’ll hang this little one among all the frames in the hallway.

10. We already shared this $10 green luggage rack for the guest room this morning, and mentioned that we may or may not paint it (but definitely plan to switch out the straps – one is missing anyway). Should be interesting…

11. You’ve also seen this $18 paper lantern this morning, so you know we’re planning to hang it in the playroom with a $5 light kit from Ikea. Love those hearts.

12 (or 12-23 if you count each print as a thing). Perhaps our favorite find, we have plans to disassemble this $20 vintage map calendar and frame and hang them all en masse somewhere. Maybe in the guest room. Maybe in the playroom. Or maybe even in the much-mentioned frame-filled hallway that we’re planning.

Thrift Detail1

Thrift Detail2

So that’s what we got for $98. Thanks to shopping in Delaware (where there’s no sales tax) that was actually the total amount spent. And because I’m a dork, I like to calculate the average cost per item, which comes in right around $8 (when you count the calendar as one thing) and $4.26 (when each print is counted separately). Not bad average prices for things like two light fixtures, a luggage rack, a mirror, two bookends, and 6 pieces of wall decor (or 17 if you count all the vintage maps in the calendar). Woot! More details and pics when we frame/hang/paint/install each thing. But now it’s back to the guest room. There are things to clean and paint swatches to consider…

Psst- We announced this weeks giveaway winners. Click here to see if one of them is you.

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    I’m in the middle of writing an essay on Schopenhauer and your blog is the best ever break from it. Although I keep checking all the time for your next post so I guess I’m not getting much done..!

    Reply

  2. Robin says

    I love the idea of having a real luggage rack in the guest room – that is fancy (if you get it working!). Also love the bee hook and the calendar. I’ve done the same thing with an old calendar – but LOVE vintage maps. Way to go!

    Reply

  5. Katie says

    So I can feel less like a stalker…I just have to let you guys know how much I love your blog! I check it twice a day *just in case* you have posted twice! :) I squealed out loud when you posted your thrift store finds! Thanks for reminding me I don’t have to have a million dollar budget to makeover my home and make it a space that I love. Gosh…imagine what you could do with a million buck-a-roos though!

    Reply

    • kate says

      I had to laugh out loud cause I know how you feel! I too check a few times a day & often feel like a stalker!! When I read this post I actually felt extra-stalkerish cause I too have in-laws who have a beach house near the Deleware beaches and I know exactly where all these stores are! Wondering if I could find amazingly cheap treasures and turn then into fabulous pieces like Sherry and John….:)

  7. Christa M says

    Great Finds! I am in love with the luggage rack as-is (after the new straps) as well as the iron horse head..I think he fits well with the inspiration room just as he is but depending on what other decor items you will be bringing in and how far off from the inspiration room you’ll be going to bring in your own twist!

    Love seeing these items you’ve picked up on the trip! Now I need to go plan a vacay!

    Reply

  8. Erin says

    Can’t wait to see how you transform everything! I love that you buy things I would never even look at and make them so cool. I need you vision!

    Reply

  10. Junebug says

    Love the great finds! I have a random question. Have you guys found a no VOC primer that you love? We’re getting ready to paint our outdated kitchen cabinets and we have a 7 month old baby. Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We wish we had a fabulous no-VOC primer that would work on your cabinets, but unfortunately you’ll need something oil-based to block any wood or stain bleed-through (water based paint can’t do that) and all oil-based paint is fumey and loaded with VOCs. Such an annoying debacle! One way to attempt it would be to send your baby off somewhere while you paint and then ventilate like crazy (once you apply no-VOC paint over it, like Olympic Premium) the fumes should all be sealed in, so your baby would only theoretically have to be gone for the priming process and then could come back once things are painted. Or you could visit an eco building supply store and see what they recommend. There might be some specialty product that we’re not aware of. Just be sure it’ll block bleed through (so it shouldn’t just be a water based primer). Good luck!

      xo,
      s

    • Junebug says

      Thanks for the help! That’s what we were afraid of. We’ll just have to send our little one away for the day. At least the bulk of the priming will need to be done on the doors, which can be primed outside.

    • Jennifer says

      I just primed my kitchen with an extremely low voc primer and it worked great! I had deep deep red walls that I thought would take a ton of work to cover. I used two coats of Kilz Clean Start primer (can says extremely low voc) on the walls and now you can’t tell that the walls use to be red. It didn’t have that painty smell. Good luck!

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yup, we’ve found great low and no-VOC primers when it comes to walls (since they can be latex or water based) but sadly when it comes to priming cabinets you need the fumey stuff to block wood/stain bleed through. Wish someone would come up with something that would work for cabs without having tons o’ fumes!

      xo,
      s

  14. JMB says

    Love the luggage rack! I scored a similar one recently and it also needs strap replacement, so looking forward to how you decide to do it. It lives in our guest room as a nice little “extra” since you don’t see them much anymore. Also love the iron horse and the bee hook. Nice thrifting YHL!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s the rug in our current office (it was also in our office at our first house). It’s from the Pottery Barn Outlet a while back. Don’t know the name or anything though. Maybe try ebay? Good luck!

      xo,
      s

  21. Suzanne says

    Love all of your finds. A fun fabric to cover the cord of the light fixture in the sink nook would be fun.
    Oh for a day of thrifting…

    Reply

  22. LYM says

    Great finds! Can’t wait to see the transformations. We have pretty much furnished our house since our move. I can’t help but think that it could have been done a lot cheaper if only had I found your blog sooner. Its so inspiring and refreshing to see your projects. I’m sure there’s a few I can come up with on my end. Thanks for all the great ideas! Keep up the great work!

    Reply

  23. Angela says

    It’s all so fun! I officially have a HUGE craving to go antiquing/thrifting. My favorite(s?) are the horse bookends… I can’t wait to see them all spruced up and in action!

    Reply

  25. Holly Graff says

    I totally think you should wait on painting the orange horse heads. You might be surprised at how well they will integrate into your color scheme of deep tealy blues, gray, yellow, lime and eggplant. A different pop of color can make a room seem less match-matchy designed and more sophisticated. That and the fact that they are mottled is a big bonus over an all over single color.

    Let them stay red heads!

    Reply

  27. bridget b. says

    great finds! i’m curious, what method would you use to paint the brass cap and chain of the lamp? and would you paint the power cord, too or remove it for the painting process?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haven’t really thought about it yet. We’d probably spray paint the whole thing (cord and chain) for the most seamless look. Details when we get to it!

      xo,
      s

  28. Morgan S. says

    I love the map calendar! I actually scored the 2010 version at Second Debut Goodwill in Carytown for around $5.00. I can’t wait to also have the maps framed!

    Reply

  30. Jill Stigs says

    Great finds! You guys did good.
    You know you could have texted John a pic of it to “just make sure” he was on board. :)

    Reply

  32. Traci says

    I love the luggage rack as-is…. the green is so awesome! In fact, I have an identical bamboo-look rack in its original wood tone sitting in the garage just doing nothing (it originally came with a tray, and all I really wanted was the tray). Now that my son has moved out, I finally have a real guest room, so I think I’ll paint it and use it in there! I had almost forgotten about it until I saw yours!

    Love the horse head bookends, too!

    Reply

  34. Staci says

    I vote hang the maps en masse over the head of the soon-to-be finished guestroom bed.
    Also, I’m firmly in the “leave it green” camp, regarding that awesome luggage rack. You could even paint your newly found chairs (that you have at your computer desk) to match… oh it would just be perfect!

    Reply

  37. foo says

    oh, and I forgot to ask. What is that hanging lamp made of? Not the paper one with hearts, but the other one. Is it glass? frosted? It’s hard to tell.

    Reply

  40. meghan says

    Awesome stuff! I wish I was a better thrifter. Can’t wait to see what you do with all of it. :) Question… if there comes a time when you guys are able to answer specific questions through email, will you announce it in a post? I was going to shoot you a quick one about a paint color for a bedroom with blue carpet, but then read you guys aren’t doing that right now. Not a big deal at all, just curious! :) Thanks!

    Reply

  41. Lyzz says

    I purchased at same map from Paper Source back in December for the same price, and I had plans to frame them in mass as well, just haven’t gotten around to it yet…can’t wait to see your result. Great finds!

    Reply

  43. Suzanne says

    Great finds! Would you mind telling us how big the Vintage Map prints are in the calendar? I would love to frame some for the office…just wondering approx how big the actual map part is 4x6ish, 5x7ish, 8x10ish?? Thanks!

    Reply

  44. Megan @ reFind says

    Sherry- Not sure if you know about this company or not – but Montana cans has GREAT spray paint. http://www.montana-cans.com/
    They are actually for professional graffiti artists, but I have used them on a many a project. They have more colors than you will know what to do with, AND more shades of colors. Sometimes when looking for spray paint I get stuck with the same ole colors.. but not any more. Plus, they have better coverage than any other paint I have tried – which is good because they are a little more expensive. You can usually get them at art stores.
    Can’t wait to see what you do!

    Reply

  45. Sarah says

    Love the luggage stand! You are so great at seeing the potential in things. I would never have picked up a few of those things. I guess when thrifting you really have to think about what something can be, not what it is. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply

  47. Carmen says

    What a great haul. The brass duck (goose?) had me smiling. My mom had a pair just like that hanging in our living room when I was growing up!

    Reply

  49. Anna says

    I completely searched for nearby thrift stores that have furniture – there are many charity stores in my areas, but very few have furniture….you’ve inspired me again. now i just need an IKEA trip for frames!

    Reply

  50. Abigayle says

    This isn’t my etsy site (http://www.etsy.com/listing/60361382/sale-hollywood-regency-mirror-faux?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_query=bamboo+mirror&ga_page=1&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade), but this is actually the mirror I have. I found it at Salvation Army for like 7 bucks and got it on a Wednesday so it was 25% off. Much better deal than paying 29.99 and shipping for one on etsy. Anyway, it reminds me of the one you found, and I spray painted mine a glossy purple, and I absolutely love it! I can’t wait to see what you guys do with all of your great finds!

    Reply

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